Set up new Exports Commission, urges CBI

The new organisation is needed urgently “if the UK is serious about turning its export performance around in a meaningful way”, ​the CBI has told the Business Innovation and Skills (BiS) government department in a submission to its inquiry into exports and the role of the export body UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).

‘Long-term export targets’​

The Exports Commission would function in a similar to the Low Pay Commission, or the recently established Infrastructure Commission, for exports. “Critically, it would bring together businesses – from multinationals to growing MSBs ​[mid-sized businesses] and first time exporters – economists, and a cross-party bench of politicians to give independent advice to the government on long-term export targets and the policies needed to deliver them,”​ said the CBI.

Two other key recommendations included launching a one-stop-shop of government support and advice for exporters on a single, easily navigable website and agreeing a clear division of responsibilities, learning from US cities, ahead of further devolution of export support to regions and nations.

More than a quarter (28%) of MSBs – said to be the UK’s prime potential exporters – were put off selling their goods and services overseas because of the difficulty in identifying the right opportunities, said the CBI.

‘Export performance has struggled’​

CBI international director Simon Moore said: “Britain’s robust economic recovery has been the envy of many of our international peers, but our export performance has struggled to keep up the pace.​

“It’s vital that our future prosperity is not compromised by political point-scoring. An independent, national Exports Commission, bringing together for the first time exporters and politicians to create targets and policies, would provide firms with long-term certainty over government policy and put business feedback at the heart of decisions over future priorities.”​

A more commercially focussed UKTI, together with a joined-up approach to export policy and support across government will lead to more firms, particularly growing ones, moving their goods and services around the globe, said Moore.